1787 New Jersey Copper, Maris 53-j, PCGS VF20, Nice coin for the grade!

Description

1787 New Jersey Copper.  Maris 53-j.  Rarity-4.  Very Fine, in a PCGS slab where this is graded VF20, a fitting level.  An interesting coin, as while the obverse is bold, the reverse just a shade weaker, due to that side being slightly shift double struck, with light doubling visible on most letters, the original strike clockwise from the second.  The obverse shows no trace of this doubling, so it was likely resting on the obverse die (which would have to be the lower one in the press for this scenario), while the upper die came down again without a new planchet being fed into the press.  While only a minor error, it is intriguing.  This is also a pleasing example of a scarce variety, the obverse legend bold, as is the date below, and the distinct shaggy horse’s head showing all the detail expected of the grade.  Medium tan, the surfaces hard to the eye, with a few wispy striations visible, a long but very thin one cutting across the reverse shield, all in the planchet prior to striking. There are a few light circulation marks, consistent with the grade, none of which detract.  This obverse was only used in this combination, and most exist in a perfect state.  The reverse was thought by Maris to be only used with this obverse, but was later found to come with obverse 27 as well, for a very rare combination.  While this variety is scarce, it does exist in high grade – but gets quite expensive!  There are a pair of Gem Uncirculated coins, including the Ford example illustrated in the Siboni-Howes-Ish book with a stunning amount of mint red.  The Choice AU Spiro coin appeared in the November 2019 sale of the “E Pluribus Unum” collection, where it brought ,800, and Partrick’s Choice EF, the fourth coin listed in the census, brought ,080 a year and a half later.
This general type is pictured and listed in the 2020 book on colonials edited by Q. David Bowers, the Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins, lists this type as his W-5290 (page 192), where the variety is at 0 in VF20.  Winning bidder to add for postage and insurance – ALL items we sell are sent via insured mail [or Registered mail for items over 0].  California residents must add appropriate sales tax.  The pictures are of the actual coin being offered, and have been enlarged in size to show the detail – and we have included pictures in both color and black and white, of both sides of the coin, as well as a combined photo showing both sides.  This item has NOT been graded or slabbed by one of the services, and we urge you to examine the photos for yourself and from your own opinion as to grade; we have over 25 years’ experience as professional dealers in US colonial coinage – and another 15 years prior to that as collectors of the series as well.   As always, we offer a full, no-questions-asked return policy of 14 days after receipt of the coin if it fails to meet your needs in ANY way  – AND WE OFFER ONE OF THE STRONGEST RETURN GUARANTEES ON E-BAY, though it has seldom been used; please check out our Feedback Profile or e-mail any comments or questions that you may have.  Thank you again for your interest, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.